Ryan Kesler still wants out of Vancouver. That much we know. He will be traded at the draft. I have talked to too many people who assure me there are deals out there that would make that happen. There are at least 6 teams who already are expressing interest...which of course means he could be dealt prior to the draft...but I am told that is unlikely.
There is an issue though...
Before everyone assumes that every team out there wants Ryan Kesler on their team know this...they don't. In fact, over the last year as I have been chasing Kesler rumors I have learned more and more about how the league views Ryan Kesler, and for such a heart and soul player he is surprisingly polarizing. The knock always appears to be that he is a "big personality," a player that some other players have told me they would rather not have around their room. That sentiment extends to some of the people who coach and manage the teams as well.
The Canucks price now is even higher than the too high price they had at the deadline, and yet I believe the eventual cost will be lower than it was in March. And this is why I wouldn't guess the Canucks actually get a deal done until the draft in Philly.
Who is interested? Many of the teams at the deadline will be back....Philly, Anaheim, Chicago (if the Canucks can stomach it) Toronto, the Islanders and the Rangers (if they do a compliance buyout on Richards or Nash...right now they have to be thinking Nash, who has looked amazingly lackadaisical in the Cup Final.)